THE EMIRATES TO TURN (RED) TO ‘LACE UP. SAVE LIVES’

THE EMIRATES TO TURN (RED) TO ‘LACE UP. SAVE LIVES'

Singapore (January 30^th, 2010)- The Emirates Stadium will turn (RED) this Sunday as Arsenal play host to Manchester United, in a game which sees both clubs show their support for the (NIKE) ^RED ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ partnership that generates funds to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

(RED) goal-nets – a first in the Barclays Premier League, will sit between the posts for the match and a giant (NIKE)^RED lace will be hung around the middle tier of the stadium to ‘tie the stadium together’.

Players from both clubs, including Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, will wear (NIKE)^RED laces in their boots during the game and both sides will run out onto the pitch wearing (NIKE)^RED track jackets to show their commitment to the partnership.

And fans too can show their support for the initiative by raising (NIKE)^RED ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ cards as the players take to the pitch before kick-off, uniting both sets of supporters and the global TV audience to raise awareness of the partnership through the power of football.

(NIKE)^RED invites people to ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ by purchasing a pair of (NIKE) ^RED laces. One hundred percent of its Nike’s profits from the sales of (NIKE)^RED laces goes to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine for those living with HIV, and football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s match Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “Arsenal Football Club understands the importance of the HIV/AIDS issue globally and with the world’s fans focusing on Africa in this World Cup year there is a great opportunity to make a real difference through the power of football in 2010. Arsenal Football Club is proud to support the (NIKE) ^RED ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ partnership.”

On the (NIKE) ^RED partnership Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin says: “If life gives you a little bit more than it does other people, then you must give something back. Football is the most popular sport in the world. It shows that everyone can help, regardless of where they are from.”

Leo Sandino-Taylor, Nike UK Head of PR & Communications said, “Nike has a proven history of elevating global causes through sport. With the continued support of our athletes and clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United we can play a major role in amplifying this important issue.”

On 30^th November 2009 Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Denilson (Arsenal), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Lucas Neill (Everton), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham) joined U2 front man Bono at Niketown to announce the partnership between NIKE, Inc. and (RED).

(Nike)^RED laces are available to buy now at Nike Store locations, key retailers and www.nikefootball.com/RED at a cost of £4.00 per pair. Here in Singapore, the laces can be purchased at the Nike Flagship Store in Wisma Atria at SGD$7.00 per pair.